ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
President of India Greetings on the eve of New Year
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has sent his greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of New Year 2021.
In a message, the President has said, “On the occasion of New Year, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all our fellow citizens living in India and abroad.
Every New Year provides an opportunity to make a new beginning and emphasizes our resolve for individual and collective development.
This difficult time arising out of COVID-19 situation is a time for all of us to move forward unitedly. This is also the time to strengthen the cultural values that reinforce our belief of unity in diversity.
On the eve of New Year 2021, let us work together towards creating an inclusive society instilled with the spirit of love, compassion and forbearance that promotes peace and goodwill.
May all of you remain safe and healthy, and move forward with a renewed energy to achieve the common goal of our nation’s progress”.
Click here to see the President message
Ministry of Defence
DRDO Young Scientists Laboratory Develops Quantum based technology for Random Number Generation
Random numbers have essential roles in many fields, such as Quantum Communication, cryptography , scientific simulations, lotteries and fundamental physics experiments. The generation of genuine randomness is generally considered impossible with classical means. Quantum Mechanics has the inherent potential of providing true random numbers and thus has become the preferred option for the scientific applications requiring randomness.
DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory for Quantum Technologies  has developed a Quantum Random Number Generator  which detects random quantum events and converts those into a stream of binary digits. The Laboratory has developed a fiber-optic branch path based QRNG. Branch path based QRNG is based on the principle that if a single photon is incident on a balanced beam splitter, it will take either of the beam-splitter output paths randomly. As the path chosen by photon is random, the randomness is translated to sequence of bits.
QRNG system developed by the laboratory has passed the global randomness testing standards viz. NIST and Die-harder Statistical Test Suites at the speed of ~150 kbps after post-processing. The generated random numbers are also evaluated and verified using DRDO’s indigenously developed Randomness Testing Statistical Test Suite of SAG. With this development India enters the club of countries who have the technology to achieve the generation of random numbers based on the Quantum Phenomenon.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Innovative low-cost intervention tackles water supply challenges in Maharashtra towns
These solutions will minimize the need for costly infrastructure components and improve the operation of the system
Two little towns with a population of around 20,000 in Palghar district of Maharashtra have become a model of how challenges like intermittent supply, water losses, deteriorating water infrastructure can be tackled at a reasonable cost.
IIT Bombay has come up with ‘Shaft with Multiple Outlets’ as an intervention for improving the performance of existing piped water distribution networks. The intervention consists of a new strategy of optimal water supply operation by use of scheduling and decentralizing infrastructure.
With support from the Department of Science and Technology -Water Technology Initiative, IIT Bombay & IIT Madras, with participation of local gram panchayat, implemented the solution in the towns of Saphale, and Umerpada, in Palghar district, Maharashtra, which is currently provided with water from a multi village water supply system.
These solutions will minimize the need for costly infrastructure components and improve the operation of the system. Typically, for population of 2000 habitations, conventionally, ESR  will require a cost of about Rs. 10 lakhs, whereas shaft with multiple outlets will cost Rs. 2 lakhs. As per census population 2011, in India, there are about 5 lakhs such habitations with population lesser than 2000. Hence, adoption of shafts with multiple outlets will save thousands of cores expenditures in ongoing governments Jal Jeevan Mission and other urban water supply systems. Apart from cost, the multioutlet provision in shaft provides great operational ease, better pressure management, and better response to future population growth. This low-cost intervention, which has minimised the need for costly infrastructure components and improved the operation of the system, has been recommended by the Ministry of Jal Shakti for implementation in all the states as part of Har Ghar Jal under Jal Jeevan Mission. Many public health engineering departments, municipal corporations, and water authorities have come forward to adopt these solutions as these will lead to huge cost savings.
The solution supported by DST under Water Technology Initiative for Demand-Driven Convergent Water Solutions will minimize the need for costly infrastructure components and improve the operation of the system.
Figure: Photographs from the project site
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Water Sharing Disputes Between AP and Telangana
Sharing of Krishna river waters is being carried out as per working arrangement agreed between both the States of Andhra Pradesh  and Telangana, out of the total 811 TMC allocated by Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-I , pending award of Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-II . However, with regard to sharing of Godavari river waters, there is no agreement between AP and Telangana.
In the second meeting of the Apex Council held on 06.10.2020 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister  with Hon’ble Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, following decisions in respect of resolving water sharing disputes between AP and Telangana were taken:
For considering the request of Telangana for a Tribunal under section-3 of Inter-State River Water Dispute  Act, 1956, Telangana has to withdraw the case it has filed in the Supreme Court on the subject. After receiving such assurance, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India will seek legal opinion on whether a new Tribunal has to be appointed or new Terms of Reference can be issued to the existing KWDT-II to hear the matter.
Both the States agreed for setting up of a Godavari Tribunal for adjudicating on the sharing of the waters of Godavari river between AP and Telangana. Hon’ble Union Minister  requested both the States to send their proposal for the same.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri. Rattan Lal Kataria Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Silver Jubilee Commemoration Ceremony of SIMBEX- 2018
Silver Jubilee Commemoration Ceremony to mark the 25th edition of SIMBEX, “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise” was held onboard INS Sahyadri at Visakhapatnam today, 19 November 18. The Ceremony was attended by Adm Sunil Lanba, the Chief of Naval Staff and Rear Adm Lew Chuen Hong, Chief of Navy Republic of Singapore, Vice Adm Karambir Singh FOC-in-C ENC, Flag Officers, Commanding Officers and personnel from participating ships.
Rear Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet welcomed the Guests to the historic occasion to commemorate the 25th edition of the bilateral exercise between the two navies of India and Republic of Singapore. Speaking on the occasion, Adm Sunil Lanba highlighted that SIMBEX is the longest un-interrupted bilateral maritime exercise that India has had with any navy. The importance of this achievement was also flagged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at the Shangri La Dialogue in June this year. He also reiterated that naval cooperation through SIMBEX underscores the shared commitment of both nations to security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the global commons. The 25th edition of SIMBEX is the largest in terms of complexity, weapon firings and maritime geography. He concluded by reminding the audience the motto of the Republic of Singapore Navy ‘Beyond Horizon’ while that of the Indian Navy ‘Sam No Varunah’ which translates to ‘May the Ocean Gods be Auspicious Unto Us’. As the Silver Jubilee of the maritime bilateral exercises progress, he wished SIMBEX to go Beyond Horizons and in the process, let the ocean gods be auspicious unto both the navies.
Addressing the gathering, Adm Lew Chuen Hong, Chief of Navy Republic of Singapore Navy referred to the historic maritime links through maritime trade of both countries dating back to 3rd and 4th century. He brought out that Singapore and India are like minded countries that share similar outlook towards preserving freedom of sea following rules and norms laid down in UNCLOS. He highlighted the special relations that both navies have through substantive interactions. Corner stone for Navy-Navy relations is SIMBEX which stated as a basic anti-submarine exercise in 1994 as ‘Lion King’ has grown from strength to strength. The 25th edition of SIMBEX is the largest ever participation by the Singapore Navy in any bilateral exercise.
To mark the historic occasion and as a symbol of growing trust and comfort levels between the two navies, a special Logo was also released. The occasion was also utilised to simultaneous release Special Postal Cover and Singaporean Postage Stamp on SIMBEX.
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Ministry of Rural Development
Ministry of Rural Development launches Prajjwala Challenge inviting ideas, solutions and actions to transform rural economy
Applications open from 29th December, 2022 to 31st January, 2023
With an aim to invite ideas, solutions and actions that can transform rural economy, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission  has launched the Prajjwala Challenge. It is one of the platforms where ideas are invited from individuals, Social Enterprises, Start up, Private Sector, Civil Society, Community Based Organization, Academic Institution, Start-ups, Incubation centres, Investors etc having potential to transform the rural economy.
The Prajjwala Challenge was launched by Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri. Shailesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi yesterday. The Mission is looking for ideas and solutions around Innovative Technology Solution, Inclusive Growth, Value Chain Interventions, Enhanced Women Entrepreneurship, Cost effective Solutions, Sustainability, place-based employment, localised models etc. The broad contours fall into following categories:
a. Focus on Women and Marginalized section of community
b. Localised Models
c. Sustainability
d. Cost Effective solutions
e. Multi sectoral ideas and solutions etc
Applications are open from 29th December, 2022 to 31st January, 2023. Shortlisted ideas will be acknowledged by the Mission and will be provided mentorship support from an expert panel and incubation support to scale up. The top 5 ideas will be rewarded with Rs. 2 Lakh each. Applicants can visit the website www.prajjwalachallenge.com and apply.
DAY-NRLM is one of the flagship poverty alleviation programs of the Ministry of Rural Development, which aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor, enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihoods enhancements and improved access to financial services. The mission focuses for livelihood augmentation through:
The Mission so far has mobilised more than 87 Million women in to the Self Hep Groups and their federations. While much headway has been made in mobilization of women and financial inclusion, deepening, enhancing and expanding Livelihoods intervention ensuring sustainable income is one of the focus of Mission. This requires creating facilitative ecosystem for multiple stakeholders like Government, Civil Society, Community Based Organisation, Industry, Academia, Private Sector, Start Ups etc to come together and work in collaboration with each other for transforming the rural economy and creating life advancement opportunities in Rural India for socio economic prosperity.
Prajjwala Challenge launch ceremony was attended by Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary , senior officers of the Ministry, key State Mission Directors of State Rural Livelihoods Missions, Start-ups, incubators and NGO representatives.
The Prajjwala Challenge will also be shared in the Manthan portal by the office of Principal Scientific Advisor and in the BIMTECH- Atal Innovation Mission Portal for reaching out to larger number of applicants.
Special Service and Features
Rozgar Mela is a platform that embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale
Appointment letters were handed over to 119 newly inducted recruits in the event held in Kochi
Kochi: July 22, 2023
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale said that Rozgar Mela is a platform that embodies the spirit of progress and empowerment, where dreams meet reality, and aspirations find wings to soar. The Union Minister while addressing the gathering after inaugurating an event organized by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Thiruvananthapuram Zone as part of the national level Rozgar Mela in Kochi today said that Rozgar Mela is not just a one-day event but a gateway towards a brighter future for all of us.
Shri Ramdas Athawale asserted that the vision and commitment of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to make a Karmayogi Bharat and an Atmanirbhar Bharat signify that the talent of youth should get their due acknowledgment by the government, organizations, industries, and businesses. The youth must be given ample opportunities to demonstrate their enormous capabilities to serve the country, empower themselves, and play their vital role in the progress of our country, he added.
The Union Minister said that as envisaged by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we must strive to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of skills in the job market. As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, Shri Ramdas Athawale stressed that we must equip our workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge through continuous learning and upskilling initiatives.
Rozgar Mela was held at 44 locations across the country today. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi distributed appointment letters to more than 70,000 newly inducted recruits via video conferencing and also addressed these appointees on the occasion.
In the Rozgar Mela event organized in Kochi, the participants witnessed the live webcast of the programme. During the programme, appointment letters were handed over to 119 newly inducted recruits in total and Shri Ramdas Athawale handed over appointment letters to 25 candidates. Senior Officials from various departments handed over the appointment letters to newly recruits in the respective departments.
Candidates are appointed in the Department of Posts, Defence Estates Organization, Indian Navy, Defence Accounts , Kerala Gramin Bank, State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation , Railways, Customs and CGST, etc .
In the Rozgar mela event held in Thiruvananthapuram, Shri. B. L. Verma, Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region & Cooperation, inaugurated the event, and appointment letters were handed over to 138 newly inducted recruits.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr. Harsh Vardhan chairs a video conference with States, UTs and Ministries regarding the steps taken on COVID-19
“I applaud your diligent efforts to manage the Corona Virus”: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
“I applaud your efforts and diligent steps taken to manage this virus in your respective States and UTs”, said Dr. Harsh Vardhan as he held a meeting to review actions and preparedness for COVID-19 management, through Video Conference , with Health Ministers, Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, Central Ministers and representatives from the related organizations, here today. The VC saw participation from Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Bureau of Immigration  and Ministry of Tourism.
The revised travel advisory as well as advisory about mass gatherings were reviewed and shared with the States & UTs. In view of Universal Screening of all passengers being done at the airports, States were asked to monitor the airport management in coordination with the concerned Airport Public Health Officers  and Airport Managers, to ensure effective screening.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviewed the status of preparedness in terms of availability of beds, isolation wards, laboratory readiness for high test volumes etc., of the States and UTs. He reiterated that it needs to be ensured that our healthcare workers are duly protected from infection while they perform their duties. Dr. Harsh Vardhan added that in this regard a workshop cum training session was held today for healthcare workers on precautionary measures and self-protection. States & UTs were advised to conduct training workshops, which many responded, had already conducted. It was iterated that States and UTs, through all their media platforms and communication channels, should focus on disseminating basic public health measures viz. washing hands, avoiding unnecessary travel, staying alert for signs and symptoms , maintaining hygiene of commonly infected surfaces like table tops, computer and mobile screens etc. States and UTs were advised to strengthen and judiciously monitor border screenings both at land border check points and ports. The meeting concluded with Dr. Harsh Vardhan urging the States and UTs to involve the elected representatives, MLAs, Corporators, Mayors, Collectors and MPs, and to sensitize them on COVID-19 and basic public health measures.
Also present at the VC were other senior officials of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and DGHS.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts search operations in West Bengal
The Income Tax Department initiated search operation in the case of two major manufacturers and suppliers of refined lead, lead alloys and lead oxides on 07.12.2021. The search operation covered 24 premises spread over in the states of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
During the search and seizure action, it has been noticed that these groups are involved in the suppression of taxable income by resorting to bogus purchases and inflation of purchases.
Investigations have categorically revealed that these two groups have booked bogus purchases of around Rs. 250 crore in the name of various individuals, proprietary concerns, and companies. Evidence gathered during the search operation further reveals that stock registers, transport documents, e-way bills etc. have been fabricated to make such bogus purchases. Several accommodation entry providers have admitted that they have supplied bogus bills without supply of material.
The analysis of documents seized from the business premises of one of the groups indicates the modus operandi of over-invoicing during the purchase of raw material in a systematic manner. The differential amount is received back in cash by the key persons of the assessee group. One of the employees of the group has admitted that invoices have been inflated by charging higher prices for better quality of goods than goods actually supplied.
Incriminating evidence in the form of physical documents and digital data indicating unaccounted investments made in cash in immovable properties has also been found and seized.
The search operations have resulted in seizure of jewellery valued at Rs. 53 lakh while four bank lockers are yet to be operated.
Further investigations are under progress.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Shri Narayan Rane inaugurates “MSME Exhibition” at the 10th Edition of North East Festival
Union Minister for MSME, Shri Narayan Rane, inaugurated the “MSME Exhibition” at the 10th Edition of North East Festival organised in Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Shri Rane said that North East Festival will provide an opportunity to entrepreneurs from North East regions especially women and SC/ ST entrepreneurs to show-case their skills/products and create new opportunities for growth and be self-reliant.
The festival is organised from 23rd to 26th December2022 and showcasing best of NER’s culture, food, tourism potential, art and more. Mr Rane invited Delhites to come and enjoy this colourful festival.
Shri Rane also met various MSME exhibitors in the festival and reiterated the vision and commitment of Prime Minister Shri Narinder Modi for rapid development of North East Region.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
MANDATORY RFID TAGGING OF NEW VEHICLES
Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers informed in a written reply to Lok Sabha today, that the Government has made it mandatory for all four wheel passenger and goods vehicles sold on and after 1st December, 2017 to be fitted with FASTag by the manufacturer of the vehicle or its authorized dealer.
Shri Mandaviya also told the House that Electronic Fee Collection , a digital form of user fee collection, was rolled out across the country on 25th April, 2016 by the Government with the inclusion of multiple issuers and multiple acquirer banks with National Payments Corporation of India  as the Central Clearing House .
So far, 407 toll plazas across the country have been enabled with EFC lanes on either side of the toll plaza and 8,12,870 RFID tags have been issued. The total transaction count since Jan, 2017 to December 15, 2017 under e-mode stands at 10.12 Cr and the revenue collected under e-mode for the same period is Rs 2852 Cr. Depending upon the feasibility at fee plazas, Government is targeting to have all existing lanes as FASTag enabled by converting them to Hybrid EFC lanes having all the payment options, Shri Mandaviya informed.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the passing away of Shri CS Shivalli
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the passing away of Shri CS Shivalli.
“My condolences to the family and supporters of Karnataka Minister Shri CS Shivalli.
Shri Shivalli will be remembered for his service to Karnataka. May his soul rest in peace”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Defence
India and Japan sign agreement on Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between Forces of both countries
India and Japan signed an Agreement between the two countries concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of India and The Self-Defense Forces of Japan. The agreement was signed here yesterday by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Ambassador of Japan Mr Suzuki Satoshi.
This agreement establishes the enabling framework for closer cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and Japan in reciprocal provision of supplies and services while engaged in bilateral training activities, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian International Relief and other mutually agreed activities.
The agreement will also enhance the interoperability between the Armed Force of India and Japan thereby further increasing the bilateral defence engagements under the Special Strategic & Global Partnership between the two countries.